Walter Johnson, 1926The Hall of Fame right-hander still holds the record for the highest Bill James Game Score on Opening Day, recording an impressive 111 with his 15-inning shutout of the powerful Philadelphia A's — who had two future Hall of Famers in the lineup — on April 13, 1926. It was the 38th (and final) 1-0 victory of Johnson's career, a mark no one has come close to surpassing. Read our SABR BioProject biography of "The Big Train" written by Charles Carey.

Phil Niekro, 1970"Knucksie" won 318 games in his Hall of Fame career — but none in nine Opening Day starts between 1970 and 1985. His best performance was in 1979, when he allowed three hits in eight innings against the Houston Astros, but was outpitched by J.R. Richard and Joaquin Andujar in a 2-1 loss. His brother Joe, a two-time 20-game winner, didn't fare much better, losing all four of his Opening Day starts. Read "The Opening Day Woes of the Niekro Brothers," by Lyle Spatz in the 1998 Baseball Research Journal.